For South Africans “Crystal Valley Full Cream Milk Powder available at Checkers Shoprite is the better of the two milk powders listed below but if you want to economize you may use Country Pasture sold by Makro to make your evaporated milk and condensed milk but be warned you will taste it. although it is really not too bad – I did not notice it when using it in my French Vanilla Latte Powder. It’s really not bad as a milk replacement in coffee. With a dairy allergy I find I react less to milk powder than I do to fresh milk. However you may use the cheaper alternative if you want to cut costs but I would only recommend using it in your latte powder mix.

Note: With Crystal Valley Full Cream Milk Powder125 g will make you 1 liter ..With Makro’s Country Pasture brandwhich comes in a 4 kg bag – 100 g of powder will make you 1 liter

Condensed Milk

Ingredients:

160 g (250 ml) milk powder, full cream

80 g (80 ml) boiled water

44 g (3 Tbsp) butter, melted – butter is preferable to margarine

144 g (166 ml) sugar

Method:

I just weigh in the milk powder followed by adding the butter in cubes small enough to dissolve. I then weigh in the sugar, followed by weighing in the boiled water slowly pouring it over the top to melt top contents. I then give it all a good stir with a thin steak knife (blade long enough to reach bottom of measuring jug or cup. Make sure you give it a good stir to incorporate all the milk powder laying on the bottom. Cover and refrigerate. Use within the next few days. Make up fresh as needed.

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Evaporated Milk

Makes: 500 g Total Calories with Butter: 769 Total Calories without Butter: 554

I always add the butter – It gives you creaminess and stability.

As long as you keep powdered milk on hand you can whip this up anytime you need it.

Note: I have made this successfully using the brand “Country Pasture” available from makro however I did taste it. – Therefore it is best to use a good quality brand like “Crystal Valley” sold by Checkers Shoprite in South Africa.

Ingredients:

310 g (310 ml) hot water

30 g (30 ml) butter

160 g (250 ml) milk powder, full cream

Method: Weigh water into micro-safe container and heat up in microwave until boiling (I use a large shaker microwave safe plastic container). Place container with hot water on scale and weigh in the butter. Stir or swirl it around until it is dissolved. Place container back onto scale and weigh in the milk powder. Place lid on shaker and shake until thoroughly dissolved. Place into coldest back section of fridge together with beaters to chill overnight especially if you are going to be whipping your evaporated milk – If not just place into back section of fridge to chill.

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French Vanilla Latte Instant Mix Powder – For Hot or Iced Coffee

Note on Calories: 250 ml Ellis Brown Coffee Creamer weighs: 124 g = Calories: 636 – I weighed all my below ingredients and calculated the calories straight off their packages. – But be warned in many cases the calories can be understated on packages.

I find it is better not to add any sugar. For those that like their coffee stronger you may add a little extra coffee or sugar to your cup upon serving.